Did you know that checking your cat’s ears and keeping them clean is part
of taking care of your cat and providing for his overall health and wellness? A
cat’s ears can get extremely dusty. They can also collect things like dust
particles, bugs, dirt, etc. In the summer, the ears could get built up with
gnats, wax can also build up as can dirt as previously mentioned. So what can
you do? Check the ears regularly to ensure they are clean. If you find they are
extremely dirty, call your vet. You should also check with your vet before
cleaning the ears yourself. When cleaning the ears, use a vet approved liquid
ear cleaner on a piece of cotton or gauze. Examples include mineral oil or
hydrogen peroxide. Fold your cat’s ears back and wipe the dirt and wax from the
outer ear. Do not go in the ear canal and call your experienced pet clinic Aurora CO if there’s any discharge or smell.
Did you
know that hip dysplasia is a common skeletal disease seen in large dogs like
the German Shepherd and Retrievers? The disease occurs when the ball and socket
join in the hip fails to develop normally or is altered due to an injury,
trauma or osteoarthritis. The malformation usually causes the ball and socket
to meet incorrectly causing a grinding or rubbing instead of a smooth movement.
Over time, the hip joint can deteriorate and the dog can lose complete
function. It can occur as early as four months of age. Symptoms can depend on
the severity or the progression of the disease and can include joint looseness
or laxity, decreased activity, difficulty for the dog to rise, run, jump or
climb stairs, hind-limb lameness, hopping or a swaying gate, painful hip
joints, decreased range of motion, and loss of muscle mass. If your dog has any
of these symptoms, call your Aurora, CO
veterinary clinic.
